Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha uphawu nokupakisha by Cansu Dagbagli Ferreira

Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha uphawu nokupakisha by Cansu Dagbagli Ferreira is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lokuBhengeza, ukuThengisa kunye noNxibelelwano Competition Category.

IsilivereUkubhengeza· 2026

Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha uphawu nokupakisha

by Cansu Dagbagli Ferreira

Client: Cansu Ferreira

Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award Winner in Ukubhengeza Category

16,386

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181114

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha uphawu nokupakisha

Book Text: I-Zona yi-hard seltzer yokuqala yase-Angola, edibanisa ilifa lasekhaya nobuhle bexesha langoku, ineempawu zophawu eziphefumlelwe yimithombo yase-Huambo noMlambo i-Okavango. Uyilo lugxile kubuhle bangoku, obunesibindi obusebenzisa iipalethi ezimbala mnye ezisekelwe kwiziqhamo kunye nemifanekiso ye-geometric ukutsala ingqalelo. Ilogo eyenziwe ngokwezifiso iquka ukutshiza kwamanzi okufihliweyo, okufuzisela isiqu sobomi nokugeleza kwemilambo. Ngokudibanisa imibala ebukhali kunye nesakhelo esicocekileyo, esisekelwe kumhlophe, i-Zona inikezela ngamava abonakalayo amatsha, anyusayo abhiyozela imvelaphi yayo ngeliso lobutsha eligqwesileyo kuyilo.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award

Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha uphawu nokupakisha ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo ngokungaqhelekanga okunikwa imiyilo yomgangatho ophezulu, entle nechukumisayo. Abaphumeleleyo beSilivere ziimveliso ezikhazimlayo kakhulu nezidala kakhulu ezibonisa ubungcali obuphawulekayo, italente nobukrelekrele babayili bazo. Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha uphawu nokupakisha iyathenjwa ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omhle womzekelo, onobungcali obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezinzulu. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award yimveliso ebonakalayo kakhulu, ethandwayo enceda kwaye inyusa imida yobugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha. Zona Primary Function: Ukwakha uphawu nokupakisha yimveliso enomona omkhulu kuyo evusa iinqwenelo, izisa iimvakalelo ezintle kwaye ivuselela ukumangaliswa nokumangala.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Zona is the first hard seltzer brand of Angola, bridging local heritage with a contemporary aesthetic. The identity is defined by a "flow" concept, utilizing a hidden water splash symbol within the logotype. Each flavor is identified by a unique geometric icon and a monochromatic palette derived from the fruit's internal and external colors. This system creates a high-impact, clean look that communicates premium quality while remaining approachable and energetic for a young demographic.
Dimensions & Packaging: Aluminium 330 ml drink cans
Tags: drink, alcohol, colorful, cocktail, angola, fruits
Production Technology: Design printed directly on the cans with Pantone system inks.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was introducing an entirely new product category: Hard Seltzer to a market while ensuring it felt authentically Angolan without relying on visual clichés. Balancing the constructive narrative of the brand's mission with the functional requirements of beverage packaging was critical. We overcame this by using the river metaphor, a symbol of life and unity, to create a sophisticated logotype and icon system that feels both globally competitive and deeply rooted in the local landscape of Huambo.
Research: Type: Market and Cultural Ethnographic Research. Objectives: To establish the first hard seltzer identity in the Angolan market. Methodology: Analysis of local fruit profiles and water-source symbolism. Tools: Color theory mapping and competitive visual audits. Participants: Local youth and community stakeholders. Results: Identified a gap for a wellness-oriented, low-alcohol beverage with local roots. Insights: Users preferred minimalist, non-busy designs that emphasize "freshness." Impact: The research influenced a visual language that promotes Angolan origins as a mark of premium quality.
Inspiration: The design is inspired by the life-giving springs of Huambo, which feed the Okavango River and sustain a diverse ecosystem. This "spirit of beginnings" and the concept of rivers as connectors served as the foundation for the brand. The geometric icons represent the structured yet fluid nature of water systems. Culturally, the brand draws from the vibrant energy of modern Angola, seeking to create a constructive and uplifting narrative that fosters positive community impact.
Project Duration: 6 months, Angola, USA and France
Operation Flow: The design process utilized a "Diverge and Converge" methodology to translate ecological concepts into a modern branding system. Initial sketches explored fluid river patterns, which were then refined into precise geometric symbols using Adobe Illustrator. A dual-tone color strategy was developed to ensure flavor distinction and shelf-standout. High-fidelity 3D renders were created in Adobe Dimension/Photoshop to simulate light-play on the metallic cans and test the visibility of the textured "a" logotype in real-world environments.